BRASILIA, March 5 (Reuters) - Brazil's trade balance reached a $4.2 billion surplus ​in February, the Ministry of Development, Industry, ‌Trade and Services said on Thursday, swinging from a year-earlier deficit and in line with ​economists' forecast in a Reuters poll.

Exports ​from Latin America's largest economy rose ⁠15.6% from a year earlier to $26.3 billion, ​while imports dropped 4.8% to $22.1 billion.

Brazil posted ​a $500 million deficit in February 2025.

The country's economy is showing clearer signs of slowing after the ​central bank held interest rates at a ​nearly 20-year high of 15% since July last year.

Brazilian ‌shipments ⁠of items such as crude oil, iron ore and soybeans rose, while those of products including cotton and sugar declined.

On ​the import ​side, which ⁠is more diversified, the main drag in the month came ​from a fall in purchases of ​non-electric ⁠engines and machines.

In January, the ministry estimated that Brazil's trade surplus this year will ⁠range ​between $70 billion and $90 billion, ​above the $68.3 billion surplus recorded in 2025.

Reporting by Isabel Versiani ​and Fernando Cardoso; Editing by Kirsten Donovan